The City of London Corporation ranked 50th in a list of 119 UK employers working to boost social mobility.
Organisations employing over 1.1 million people in 18 sectors, including major retailers, financial institutions and Government departments, make up the Social Mobility Employer Index.
The local authority, which worked with index organiser the Social Mobility Foundation, to set up the scheme three years ago, has moved up from 56th place in last year’s index, and from 66th in 2018.
It was praised for its school outreach work with disadvantaged pupils and for offering higher level apprenticeships – providing a route into the organisation comparable with graduate entry routes.
The index was set up to address the fact that a disproportionate number of people from affluent backgrounds, private schools and elite universities get top jobs.
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City of London Corporation Policy Chair Catherine McGuinness, said: “Making the top 50 and continuing to improve our position in the Index year-on-year is testament to the work which is going on across the City Corporation to meet the ambitious objectives outlined in our Social Mobility Strategy.
“Ensuring talented individuals from less privileged backgrounds have the chance to get on in life is not only the right thing to do, it also benefits employers such as ourselves, ensuring we are accessing the widest possible pool of talent.
“There is still work to be done and we will take on board and act on the feedback received so we continue to do everything possible to ensure we are a diverse and inclusive organisation which welcomes and nurtures people from all backgrounds.”
The City Corporation launched its 10-year Social Mobility Strategy in 2018, aimed at boosting equality of opportunity and ensuring everyone can access the skills and talent they need to thrive.
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